Whether you want to call Jake Paul the proverbial fly in the ointment or say he’s simply poking the bear, the YouTube star-turned-professional-boxer wants to be taken seriously when he speaks out on fighter pay.
He’s done a lot of that for the past year or so, mainly targeting Dana White and the UFC for underpaying athletes and tying them to restrictive contracts that limit earning potential despite being independent contractors. Paul largely has been praised for his message, but his motivations have been questioned, with some believing he’s only looking out for his own brand.
In an interview with Stephen A. Smith on ESPN’s “First Take,” Paul sounded as serious about the issue as he ever has.
